Hardly anyone in the world – save for those who had a personal or financial stake in the colt’s opposition – was rooting against the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

We all wanted to see history made. We all wanted the 36-year drought broken.

But maybe we shouldn’t have wanted that. Maybe, when California Chrome turned for home with nothing left in the tank and finished tied for fourth, we got lucky.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/california-chrome-loss-good-for-horse-racing/feed/0Credit, Joe BianchinoDoes California Chrome's Owner Regret Comments? 'Hell No' [VIDEO]http://1045theteam.com/does-california-chromes-owner-regret-comments-hell-no-video/
http://1045theteam.com/does-california-chromes-owner-regret-comments-hell-no-video/#commentsSun, 08 Jun 2014 18:40:57 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211968Continue reading…]]>Moments after the Belmont, California Chrome's co-owner Steve Coburn said "it was a coward's way out" for owners to run their horses in the third leg of the Triple Crown after not competing in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes. Less than twenty four hours later, he wasn't backing down.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/does-california-chromes-owner-regret-comments-hell-no-video/feed/0California Chrome's Owner With Controversial Post-Race Commentshttp://1045theteam.com/california-chromes-owner-with-controversial-post-race-comments/
http://1045theteam.com/california-chromes-owner-with-controversial-post-race-comments/#commentsSun, 08 Jun 2014 00:47:12 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211858Continue reading…]]>It was moments after his horse, California Chrome, lost the Belmont and all Triple Crown hopes. But does co-owner Steve Coburn wish he would've taken a walk first before reacting this way?

]]>http://1045theteam.com/disappointment-reigns-as-california-chrome-loses-triple-crown-bid/feed/0Credit, Joe BianchinoFour Expectations for Saturdayhttp://1045theteam.com/four-expectations-for-saturday/
http://1045theteam.com/four-expectations-for-saturday/#commentsFri, 06 Jun 2014 22:36:38 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211648Continue reading…]]>Horse racing is all about expectation. What do you expect to happen, and how much can you profit off it if you're right. Here are four things to expect on Belmont Day.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/four-expectations-for-saturday/feed/0Credit, Joe BianchinoBelmont Stakes Friday Noteshttp://1045theteam.com/belmont-stakes-friday-notes/
http://1045theteam.com/belmont-stakes-friday-notes/#commentsFri, 06 Jun 2014 16:17:11 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211523Continue reading…]]>After three weeks of building crescendo, the anticipation for the Belmont Stakes is just about ready to hit fever pitch. In just a little over 24 hours, California Chrome will take to the Belmont Park track and run for his shot at history, racing's first Triple Crown since 1978.

Today, with the park itself, it seems, echoing his name, Chrome stepped out onto "Big Sandy" to do some of his final prep work. Here are some observations from the morning:

After all, I may well be penning this column on the eve of history, and I'm certainly doing it at the apex of a months-long crescendo. My sense of nostalgia tells me I should honor that.

Philosophy eludes me on this night, though. And maybe that's for the best. I doubt very much that the connections who labeled themselves dumbasses would have much use for Socrates. Maybe they'd just rather me tell them about their horse's race on Saturday - how a wildcard pace could make all the difference, how it may all come down to guts, or how an old foe might be one standing between him and history.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/belmont-stakes-preview-part-ii/feed/0Al Bello, Getty ImagesBelmont Day One Observationshttp://1045theteam.com/belmont-day-one-observations/
http://1045theteam.com/belmont-day-one-observations/#commentsFri, 06 Jun 2014 00:11:36 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211380Continue reading…]]>It took 25 years and a Triple Crown threat to get me to Belmont Park, but earlier today I made the two and a half hour trek down to Long Island to begin a weekend's worth of coverage as California Chrome races for his sports first Triple Crown in 36 years.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/belmont-day-one-observations/feed/0Belmont Stakes Preview Part Ihttp://1045theteam.com/belmont-stakes-preview-part-i/
http://1045theteam.com/belmont-stakes-preview-part-i/#commentsThu, 05 Jun 2014 10:00:18 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=211155Continue reading…]]>The Triple Crown has become like the quest for the Holy Grail. Many have sought it, most have never came close, and the few who got within arm's length let it slip through their delicate German fingers.

For 36 years the Triple Crown has gone unclaimed. Will that streak be extended to 37? Or do we finally have one worthy of its splendor? California Chrome has looked the part in his Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins, but the Belmont's mile and a half run is a different beast.

Can he tame it? What will his competition have to say about the matter? Let's find out.

For those in this area, though, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont are just preludes to those 40 days of racing off the Northway's exit 14 - a first look at the marquee horses who will be running in Saratoga's biggest races.

The majority of those looks, this year, of course, have been pointed in California Chrome's direction - the colt who won both the Derby and Preakness in impressive fashion and who enters the Belmont with a chance to win racing's first Triple Crown since 1978.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/will-california-chrome-come-to-saratoga/feed/0Preakness Stakes – Predictions and Who To Bethttp://1045theteam.com/preakness-stakes-predictions-and-who-to-bet/
http://1045theteam.com/preakness-stakes-predictions-and-who-to-bet/#commentsFri, 16 May 2014 19:36:24 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=208505Continue reading…]]>Ahead of the Preakness, it’s a similar story – just multiplied. It’s California Chrome, a Grand Canyon sized hole, then the rest.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/preakness-stakes-predictions-and-who-to-bet/feed/0Previewing the Preakness Fieldhttp://1045theteam.com/previewing-the-preakness-field/
http://1045theteam.com/previewing-the-preakness-field/#commentsThu, 15 May 2014 21:06:06 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=208271Continue reading…]]>You don't often hear a lot of talk about sex appeal in regard to horses.

Except in big time horse races; races like the Preakness.

Just maybe not this year's edition.

Ten horses will take to the Pimlico Starting gate on Saturday, with only two under 10/1 on the morning line, and only one of that pair entering off a win. That horse is, of course, California Chrome - the reigning Kentucky Derby champion, prohibitive 3/5 favorite, and the horse of the race.

]]>http://1045theteam.com/previewing-the-preakness-field/feed/0Patrick Smith, Getty ImagesCalifornia Chrome Wins The Kentucky Derbyhttp://1045theteam.com/california-chrome-wins-the-kentucky-derby/
http://1045theteam.com/california-chrome-wins-the-kentucky-derby/#commentsSat, 03 May 2014 23:07:13 +0000http://1045theteam.com/?p=206418Continue reading…]]>It was one horse, and the rest of the field, they said.

And this time, they got it right.

Because shortly after the field turned for home, one horse separated himself from that field, and crossed the wire alone - announcing to the world that though he's not a blue-blood, he's every bit as good.

That California Chrome will shine brightly tonight in Louisville as the 140th winner of the Kentucky Derby.